About Cedar Podium
Cedar Podium is an investment and development firm redefining the Canadian student housing sector. Born from a strategic partnership between global institutional leaders and local development experts, we combine international scale with deep homegrown knowledge.
Our mission is rooted in the "Built Well, Learn Well" philosophy. We don’t just build residences; we design holistic ecosystems that address the national housing crisis and empower the next generation of leaders. Join a high-growth, entrepreneurial team where your financial leadership directly shapes the future of urban living and sustainable development.
The Role
We are seeking a strategic, commercially minded Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to help steer our next phase of institutional growth. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will serve as a proactive business partner, moving beyond traditional oversight to drive enterprise value.
This role is a blend of high-level financial strategy and hands-on operational excellence. You will manage internal and external accounting teams, help craft & optimize complex fund or single asset structures, and implement the systems necessary to support our rapid scaling.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Drive corporate, project, and investment fund financial strategies; provide actionable insights that shape major business decisions.
- Fund & Portfolio Management: Oversee deep-tier financial operations for multiple investment vehicles, including LP/GP structures and fund-level reporting, including reporting to public post-secondary institutions.
- Operational Excellence: Lead end-to-end finance operations, including audits, compliance, and internal controls, ensuring timely reporting across all portfolios, including operating assets.
- Debt & Financial Controls: Support project teams with loan approvals and payment certifications.
- Business Development: Support financial due diligence, execution, and integration for acquisitions.
- Systems Innovation: Design and implement scalable financial systems and policies to match the company’s increasing operational complexity.
- Team Mentorship: Lead and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of agility and solutions-oriented thinking.
What We’re Looking For
- Credentialed Leader: CPA designation is required; 10+ years of progressive finance leadership, ideally within Real Estate or Private Equity.
- Industry Expertise: Extensive experience in real estate development, fund management and operating portfolio accounting (multi-family, mixed-use, or student housing preferred).
- Technical Mastery: Proven track record managing complex LP/GP structures and institutional-grade real estate investment funds.
- M&A Fluency: Strong command of portfolio company oversight, deal structuring, and integration.
- Entrepreneurial Agility: A "hands-on" executive who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and can pivot from big-picture strategy to granular detail.
- Communication: Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to translate complex financial data into clear narratives for the Board, public post-secondary education partners and major financial institutions.
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary and benefits package
- Four (4) weeks of annual vacation + five (5) flex days
- Group Retirement Savings Plan
- A seat at the table in a high-impact role where your contributions directly influence the national landscape of student housing.
- On-site parking or less than 500m walk from Dupont Subway Station
- A collaborative team and great culture
